Dubai, UAE: – The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) organised an interactive introductory seminar for retailers about the new, simplified, 100% paperless procedure for registering in the digital system for refunding value added tax (VAT) for tourists – the most advanced of its kind in the world.

Held in Dubai, the session was organised by the FTA in collaboration with Planet – the company that operates the VAT Refund Scheme for Tourists – and brought together a large audience of retailers operating in the UAE. The seminar presented ways to sustainably improve the registration experience for retailers in the tax refund system for tourists by constantly communicating with those who use the system, taking their suggestions and observations into consideration when developing new plans that and systems.

During the seminar, representatives of FTA and Planet provided a comprehensive explanation of the procedures required to register retailers in the digital system developed to refund VAT to tourists, stressing that all relevant business sectors must review the registration guidelines. The experts gave a presentation on how to submit requests to register retail stores in the system, and what needs to be taken into consideration while filling out applications and documents required for registration.

The Authority noted in a press statement that the introductory seminar saw great interaction from the participants, who were informed that the FTA is implementing continuous measures to further improve the registration service for retailers by adding new features that provide more facilities during the registration process. The session went on to answer participants’ inquiries in that regard.

The Federal Tax Authority confirmed that the digital system to refund tax to tourists was developed according to the latest standards to guarantee efficiency and speed of performance, and offer easy and clear procedures. The FTA is committed to holding consultative meetings with users of the system to gauge their views based on their practical experience with it, building on them to develop procedures, in line with the Authority’s strategy to provide the best services, continuously review its operational plans, enhance efficiency in performance, and facilitate procedures, in order to ensure the happiness of its customers.

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The Federal Tax Authority was established by Federal Decree-Law No. (13) of 2016 to help diversify the national economy and increase non-oil revenues in the UAE through the management and collection of federal taxes based on international best practices and standards, as well as to provide all means of support to enable taxpayers to comply with the tax laws and procedures. Since its inception in 2017, the FTA has been committed to cooperate with the competent authorities to establish a comprehensive and balanced system to make the UAE one of the first countries in the world to implement a fully electronic tax system that encourages voluntary compliance, with simple procedures based on the highest standards of transparency and accuracy – beginning from registration, to the submission of tax returns, to the payment of due taxes through the Authority’s website: www.tax.gov.ae